Belgium launches first accessible trains and rail network upgrade

Belgium's national railway company, NMBS/SNCB, has unveiled the first of 130 new train cars. This marks a historic moment in the country's transportation, being the first autonomously accessible cars. This announcement is part of a larger initiative to enhance railway accessibility in Belgium - the NMBS/SNCB plans to equip every Belgian intercity (M7) train with an autonomously accessible car.

Manufactured by Alstom, the M7 double-decker cars feature automatic sliding ramps to facilitate boarding for people with reduced mobility. The door's height (76 cm) aligns with the standard height of train station platforms. These cars also boast wider openings, lower-placed door opening buttons, handles, adapted toilets, and an intercom system for wheelchair users to request assistance.

The rollout of these new cars is scheduled to commence in the second half of 2024. Beyond the train cars, the railway network is undergoing a substantial overhaul to standardise platform heights at train stations, an investment totalling billions of euros until 2032. The goal is to make a total of 176 stations (which accommodate nearly 70% of boarding passengers) fully accessible by the end of 2032, complete with guiding lines for visually impaired passengers and accessible vending machines.

CEO of NMBS/SNCB, Sophie Dutordoir, expressed the vision of enabling all passengers, including those with reduced mobility, to independently navigate the entire train journey, from ticket purchase to reaching their destination. Belgian Mobility Minister, Georges Gilkinet, also emphasised the importance of providing everyone the freedom to choose sustainable mobility for their commuting needs.

Author: Claus Köllinger

Views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and do not reflect those of the European Commission.